IBWA has accused both companies of making “false and misleading claims” in their advertisements. These include the claim that plastic bottles contain harmful chemicals like BPA that leech into water, or that bottled water is unsafe and the act of recycling single-use bottles releases toxic substances into the environment. IBWA was victorious in its lawsuit against Eco Canteen, a distributor of reusable, stainless-steel water bottles. ZeroWater, maker of a 5-stage ion exchange water filter, has agreed to settle peacefully by retracting any and all false claims.

Perhaps the IBWA simply can’t handle all of the bad press it has received from bottled water critics – which could explain their recent back-to-back release of several online videos that advocate bottled water as a “safe and healthy alternative.” While it is certainly an alternative to less healthy sugary beverages, some might argue that the presentation of bottled water as “safe and healthy” in and of itself is just as “false and misleading” as some of the advertising claims made by the defendants in both lawsuits. A quick glance at our list of the “Top 10 Most Disturbing Things in Our Water” reveals that not all bottled water is as “safe and healthy” as companies claim. (Pay special attention to #5 and #1 on this list, and you’ll see what we mean.)

In defense of the IBWA, it is true that the claims made by ZeroWater and Eco Canteen were indeed misleading. Though BPA and phthalates are used in the manufacture of many reusable plastic bottles, they are not contained in the single-use varieties. Moreover, not all bottled water is unsafe or unhealthy, and it is certainly healthier than soda. Still, we can’t discount the negative environmental effects of the tons of plastic waste that go unrecycled each year – of which, single-use plastic water bottles are a part (albeit small). Nor can we ignore the ridiculous costs associated with this supposedly more convenient product. Bottled water is expensive, and in many cases is nothing more than purified tap water – a natural commodity that can easily be obtained from the kitchen sink with the use of a faucet water filter, or a reverse osmosis filter, if you’re looking for more advanced filtration. It’s not rocket science; mere common sense will persuade the average consumer that filtered tap water is a safe alternative that is both tasty and eco-friendly.

Frankly, such desperation on the part of the IBWA just makes me sad. Who’s next? Annie Leonard?

Sure, we all love to go into a store and walk out with water sourced from a mountain spring, cove, lagoon, glacier or iceberg and then poured into a plastic bottle. One of the reasons so many people love bottled water is its convenience. It’s certainly easy to pick up a bottle at a gas station or grocery store, but bottled water is anything but easy on our wallets and our world.

There is nothing inherently wrong with bottled water in moderation. The real problem arises when you rely on bottled water as your only water source, and allow it to control your every action.

You cannot overcome your bottled water addiction until you realize you have a problem. Read through the following questions and see how many you can relate to.

Do you ever drink bottled water by yourself?

Have you ever lied about how much bottled water you drink?

Do you avoid places where bottled water isn’t served?

Do you regularly drink bottled water upon waking or before sleeping?

Does the thought of having to drink tap water scare you?

Do you find it impossible to live without bottled water?

Do you drink bottled water to have a good time?

How to Break Your Bottled Water Addiction

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a bottled water addict. Don’t worry, you can beat bottled water. Take up a new hobby to keep your mind away from it. Avoid places that serve bottled water, and also don’t hang around any “friends” that drink it.

But the best way to beat bottled water is surprisingly simple, and won’t even require you to take up fencing or shun your friends and family. Just filter your tap water.

What, you don’t like the taste of tap water? It might surprise you to know that many bottled waters are nothing more than filtered tap water, often taken from the same municipal water supplies that send water to your home. It’s probably more accurate to say you don’t like the taste of the chlorine disinfectant many municipalities use to rid your water of harmful contaminants.

Several water filters will remove chlorine, and many other contaminants as well. Consider purchasing a water faucet filter, which mounts easily to your kitchen sink – no tools required. If your refrigerator comes equipped with a refrigerator water filter, ensure that you change it out regularly. If you want to have ice cold water at a moment’s notice, fill up a water pitcher filter and throw it in your fridge.

Isn’t it actually more convenient to have water that you know is clean, healthy and delicious in your very own home?

“But I can take bottled water with me wherever I go,” you say.

With a Klean Kanteen water bottle, you can now take your filtered tap water with you wherever you go. These stainless steel water bottles are BPA free, which is more than we can say about many plastic water bottles out there.

Take comfort in knowing there are many others out there on the road to recovery. It’s a tough road, but one that is easily travelled with clean water and a Klean Kanteen. We’ll walk with you.

If you or someone you love suffers from bottled water addiction, you can contact Bottleholics Anonymous at 1-866-438-3458 or at sales@filtersfast.com.